Organising World T20 matches was a lifetime experience: Sourav Ganguly

Former Indian captain and current CAB president Sourav Ganguly on Tuesday said that organising matches of the 2016 World T20 at the Eden Gardens was a lifetime experience. He was quite new to the role of an administrator in the early part of 2016 when he filled in the mighty shoes of Jagmohan Dalmiya, following the latter’s death in September 2015.

The Eden Gardens hosted five matches during last year’s World T20, including the final between England and West Indies. Ganguly also thanked Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s key role in organizing the all important India-Pakistan game at Eden Gardens, after it was shifted from Dharamshala, following protests.

“I may have played 400-plus matches but I must say hosting a world tournament is a lifetime experience and an eye-opener,” Ganguly said at the CAB annual awards ceremony.

Dada still remembers ICC’s call

“I remember getting a call from the ICC asking would the Eden Gardens be ready to host the Indo-Pak game,” the CAB chief said. “She (Mamata) was somewhere else in the middle of a function and I sent her a text. She immediately responded despite being far away. Within 45 minutes I got a letter from her office with the assurance that the state is ready to provide all security measures that was required,” Ganguly added.

Ganguly also spoke highly about the Women’s World Cup campaign in England earlier this year. “I still very much remember the World Cup final on Sunday. The last time my mother watched a cricket match was when I played, and the next time was when you played,” Ganguly said while felicitating pacer Jhulan Goswami.

India eventually lost to England in the finals but their overall performance has been applauded by the countrymen. Jhulan Goswami, the highest ODI wicket-taker (195 wickets from 164 ODI games) was felicitated by Mamata, who was the chief guest for the event.